Christmas came early for the children staying in Starfish Ward at Watford General Hospital. Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua visited the hospital where he was born on Thursday and handed out gifts to young patients admitted to the hospital. This was part of his Clean Hearts Community program, which he founded some years earlier. 

It wasn’t Joshua’s first charitable effort in his hometown either. The ongoing initiative aims to uplift the people where the Watford native grew up. Joshua has previously used this initiative to launch a plethora of physical and educational programs this year. It included football camps, cooking, and science classes, to name a few.  

“Today we went to visit Watford General Hospital,” Joshua told Daily Mail Sports about his latest charitable effort in the hospital where he once unveiled the Leigh Warman Mural in the Children’s A&E department following his Olympic win in 2012. “There were a few kids there on the ward. Some have serious illnesses and some others were actually going home today which was nice to hear.”

The 35-year-old suggested that the main purpose of his visit was to acknowledge the children there. “I always try to put myself back to when I was four years and if someone came down with some gifts it would have made my day,” Joshua said. Meanwhile, he also shared a post on Instagram, with a bunch of pictures from his visit.

“We brought Santa Claus with us, since I’m sure they don’t know who I am. Seeing their faces light up when we handed out gifts was such a nice feeling,” Joshua wrote in the caption. Paediatric Consultant Lynn Sinitsky praised Joshua’s visit and the impact it will have on the children, especially on one who woke up to find the world champion at his bedside.

“The joy Anthony has spread is truly healing,” Lynn Sinitsky said. “The smile on that ten-year-old’s face was priceless.” Meanwhile, ward manager Kerry Beasley also chimed in, highlighting the boost in morale Joshua’s visit gave to the children and staff present. “It’s amazing for everyone—both the staff and the patients. It really lifts morale and spreads the Christmas spirit,’ she said. ‘We couldn’t get him out.” 

While Christmas for the children in the hospital had a great start, thanks to Joshua, what about the English boxer himself? 

Anthony Joshua reveals favorite Christmas food, festive song & gift he desires

According to a 2017 report from Sky Sports, Joshua revealed he would start his Christmas day with a glass of champagne. “I might wake up, stretch, go downstairs, and get a glass of champagne and toast to Christmas,” Joshua said. When asked about his meals for the festive day, Joshua claimed he would eat “pounded yam, eba, a bit of cultural food, and then the general turkey, potatoes, and stuff like that.”

Back then, Joshua was in talks to fight Joseph Parker, so ‘AJ’ revealed the gift he really wanted was, “A contract from Parker signed.” He also admitted that his favorite holiday movie was ‘Home Alone’ And when he isn’t watching a movie he would move to the tunes of Mariah Carey. “I think it’s the Mariah Carey one actually, ‘All I want for Christmas, is you,’” Joshua said.

That being said, with Christmas right around the corner, Anthony Joshua brought the holiday spirit to the Watford General Hospital and the children and staff there. By the looks of things, his Clean Hearts initiative is far from done, as Joshua looks to uplift his community. What did you think of Joshua’s efforts?